Emperor Gojong blended Korean royal cuisine with Western banquet traditions to showcase Korea on the world stage. 

You'll taste dishes served at actual state dinners, hear the diplomatic stories behind each course, and dine in Jungmyeongjeon Hall, 

the very room where Emperor Gojong met foreign envoys and shaped Korea's modern diplomacy.

Jungmyeongjeon also witnessed pivotal moments in Korean history, including the controversial treaty of 1905. 

Walk through the halls where emperors once strategized Korea's future.

※ The food is provided for tasting to complement the lecture and may not be enough for a full meal.

<Program>

○ Part 1: Exhibition (Jungmyeongjeon 1st Floor)

  - Learn about the history and royal culture of the Korean Empire through Jungmyeongjeon’s permanent exhibitions.

  - Discover the historical importance of Jungmyeongjeon, where the Eulsa Treaty was signed and modern diplomacy began.

○ Part 2 : Royal Cuisine Talk Show & Experience (Jungmyeongjeon 2nd Floor Auditorium)

  - A gourmet talk show featuring Emperor Gojong’s state banquet dishes and diplomatic stories.

  - Learn the history behind “The Emperor's Dining Table,” where Gojong hosted foreign envoys.

  - Taste a recreated royal banquet from September 20, 1905, shared by Gojong and Alice Roosevelt.

  - Main Courses : Goldongban, Jeonyu-eo, Pyeonyuk, Hwayangjeok, Jeonbokcho, Jang Kimchi, and Choganjang.

  - Desserts : Fresh pear and persimmon, Susamjeong, Yeongeunjeong, Wonsobyeong.

○ Royal Cuisine Menu&Ingredients: Main Courses

  - Goldongban : The royal version of bibimbap, mixed with with various vegetables, meat, and seasoning. (Ingredients : Rice, beef, shiitake mushrooms, cucumber, carrot, bellflower root, egg, soy sauce, salt, sugar, green onion, garlic, sesame seeds, sesame oil, black pepper, gochujang)

  - Saengseonjeon : Thinly sliced white fish coated in flour and egg, then pan-fried. (Ingredients : Fish (cod), flour, egg, oil)

  - Yangjimeori Pyeonyuk :Tender beef brisket boiled and sliced thin. (Ingredients : Beef brisket)

  - Hwayangjjeok : Cooked ingredients skewered by color. (Ingredients : Beef (round), shiitake mushrooms, bellflower root, cucumber, egg, pine nuts)

  - Jeonbokcho :Thinly sliced abalone braised in soy sauce. (Ingredients : Abalone, beef (tenderloin), green onion, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sugar, starch, pine nuts)

  - Jangkimchi : Kimchi made with napa cabbage and radish in soy sauce broth. (Ingredients : Napa cabbage, radish, water parsley, green onion, garlic, ginger, stone ear mushroom, chestnut, pear, red chili threads, pine nuts, soy sauce, honey)

  - Choganjang : Dipping sauce for jeon or jjeok. (Ingredients : Soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, pine nuts)

○ Royal Cuisine Menu&Ingredients : Desserts

  - Jeonggwa : Fruits or vegetables candied in honey. Made with pear, citrus, apple, lotus root, bellflower root, or ginger. (Ingredients : Seasonal ingredients, sugar, honey)

  - Wonsobyeong : Glutinous rice dumplings boiled and served in honey water or sugar water. (Ingredients : Glutinous rice, pine nuts, omija berries, sugar)

  - Saengi & Hongsi : Pear and persimmon served as dessert.

1. Event Period : May 1 (Fri) ~ May 3 (Sun), 2026, 6 sessions in total over 3 days (2 sessions per day)

2. Duration : Approximately 80 minutes (10 minutes for exhibition viewing + 70 minutes for food experience and talk show)

  ○ Showtimes (KST) : Arrive 10 minutes early (English commentary provided)

    - Session 1 : 12:00 PM ~ 1:20 PM 

    - Session 2 : 6:00 PM ~ 7:20 PM 

3. Ticket Confirmation Loaction : In front of Deoksugung Palace Jungmyeongjeon Hall

4. Capacity : Maximum 20 people per session.

5. Reservation Method : Advance booking via Creatrip (Maximum 2 tickets per person).

  ○ Reservation : https://creatrip.com/en/spot/14755

  ○ Reservation Confirmation : Entry is allowed after confirming Creatrip reservation details on-site

  ○ Reservation Period : Reservations can be made until 11:59 PM (KST), 2 days before the event

6. Age requirement : 18+ only (born in 2007 or earlier).

  ○ Eligibility : International visitors only (foreign passport holders and overseas Korean residents with proof of residency). Korean nationals cannot attend, even as companions.

7. How to Get There

  ○ Address : 41-11 Jeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (check-in desk in front of Jungmyeongjeon Hall)

  ○ Subway

    - City Hall Station (Line 1), Exit 2: 10-min walk along Deoksugung Doldam-gil

    - City Hall Station (Line 2), Exit 12: 10-min walk toward Deoksugung

    - Seodaemun Station (Line 5), Exit 5: 10-min walk along Jeongdong-gil

  ○ Bus

    - Board buses 103, 150, 401, 402, 406, 172, 472, 600, 602, 101, or 603 and get off at 'City Hall. Deoksugung Station,' then walk 10 minutes along the Deoksugung Doldam-gil

    - Board buses 103, 150, 401, 402, or 406 and get off at 'Seosomun Station,' then walk 10 minutes along Jeongdong-gil